1. Mission/Purpose of Organization
The University Church (TUC) works to build a strong community that reaches out to others with
empathy and compassion. Combating the hunger and poverty within its own neighborhood has
become a priority. An extensive community garden on our property makes fresh, organically
grown produce accessible to low-income families. By growing food, we seek to raise awareness
over Toledo’s increasing poverty rate and grow compassion among the community.
Furthermore, TUC aims to ensure that every child in its neighborhood feels safe, care for, and
valued. Forging a partnership with Reynolds Elementary (the Toledo Public School that a child
living at TUC would attend), we’ve created a thriving after-school and summer youth programs
and a generous school supply pantry. The Reynolds Elementary Outreach Initiative continues to
transform Reynolds into a community school where the entire neighborhood can access services
that expand academic opportunities, increase children’s health, strengthen families, and promote
a healthier community.
Indicate how Stranahan Foundation funds would be used. For example, staff
salaries/benefits (indicate positions and whether full or part-time, new hires or existing);
supplies; equipment; etc.
Funds from the Stranahan Foundation would be utilized primarily to supplement the salaries of
Bryan Ellis and Tiffany Ways, directors of the community garden and Reynolds Elementary
outreach initiative, respectively. Both Mr. Ellis and Ms. Ways have immensely expanded the
reach and scope of their programs. By retaining their leadership, we can maintain current
resources and relationships, seize new opportunities, and foster future leaders among the staff.
Program/Project Description: In one to four paragraphs, briefly & succinctly describe the
program and its purpose, including why it is needed.
According to the Ohio Department of Education, nearly 94% of Reynolds Elementary students
are economically disadvantaged. The school’s student population comprises 63.7% African
American, 12.6% Multi-racial, 18% White (non-Hispanic), 3.7% Hispanic, 2% unidentified.
Students, parents, and community members face extensive barriers, including limited access to
basic needs. To make vital resources more available, The University Church has worked
alongside Reynolds’ faculty and staff to develop and foster relationships among other
community organizations. The Reynolds After-School program utilizes those relationships to
localize resources within a central, accessible neighborhood space.
The after-school program’s immediate focus is on complementing and reinforcing classroom
learning. At faculty and staff’s request, academic time emphasizes completion of incomplete
schoolwork. The program also provides tutoring that aligns directly with common core
curriculum based upon the Ohio Academic Content Standards. Beyond academics, though, the
after-school program offers environmental and nutrition education through community
gardening, physical fitness classes, job services and parenting education for families, mental
health services, and an on-campus pediatrician.
Staff members from the church’s community garden are also involved with the Reynolds
Elementary Outreach Initiative. They frequently work with students in Reynolds’ own on-
campus garden, offer expertise and assistance for its maintenance, and distribute produce from
TUC’s more expansive garden directly to families during the after-school program. Through its
connection to the Reynolds Elementary Outreach Initiative, TUC’s community garden makes a
positive, effective impact on the surrounding community.

2. For families experiencing food insecurity, fresh fruits and vegetables are often excluded from
their diet because of cost. The church’s community garden utilizes 8 acres of property to supply
such families with fresh, locally grown produce. A vertical garden, aquaponics system,
diversified crop rows, bee keeping, and maintenance of chickens, turkeys, and ducks offer
multiple food sources through environmentally sustainable practices. On-site composting and
bio-char production allow the garden staff to cheaply and organically enrich the soil (which in
turn means greater crop yields). TUC’s community garden offers a model of both outreach and
sustainable urban agriculture.
Anticipated Results: Indicate how many individuals will be served and the specific ways they
will benefit as a result of this program/project.
During its first run from January to May 2013, The Reynolds Elementary after-school program
had 102 participants, 71.6% of whom identified themselves as African-American, 9.8% each
citing themselves as white or Hispanic; 96% of all participants qualified for free or reduced
lunch. For the 2013-2014 academic year the program will only consist of 80 students, which
ensures a higher quality of the staff one-on-one interaction with participants. Returning students
and teacher referrals will receive priority in program admissions. As a result of the after-school
program, students increase their academic progress, receive 45 more minutes of physical activity,
develop their social/emotional skills, and are ensured a full, nutritious dinner – all of which
contribute to healthy, well-rounded development.
Since January 2013 The University Church’s community has donated over 1,331 pounds of
produce and 102 dozen eggs. Families at Reynolds Elementary and Food for Thought’s mobile
pantry receive the majority of the garden’s donations, increasing their access to fresh, nutritious
food.
Program/Project Activities: List activities that will be carried out in order to accomplish the
anticipated results.
As directors of the after-school program and community garden, respectively, Tiffany Ways and
Bryan Ellis will coordinate services to prevent duplication, increase access to such services, and
build a stronger community.
Ms. Ways will strengthen and maintain relationships with current partners such the University of
Toledo Health Science Campus, Partners In Education, Children’s Hunger Alliance, Mercy
Children’s Hospital, A Renewed Mind, and many others. These relationships allow services and
resources like children’s academic tutoring, fitness programs, GED classes, and a mobile
medical unit to converge in one accessible, community-based location through the after-school
program. To assist her with both running the program day-to-day and building its capacity,
Tiffany will also hire and supervise an AmeriCorp Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA)
four interns from social work graduate programs.
Mr. Ellis will continue to supervise the garden’s expansion and build its efficiency with a staff
comprising two AmeriCorps VISTAs and 4-5 interns from Owens Community College urban
agriculture program. To extend the growing season, the garden staff will place a high-tunnel
greenhouse over the vertical garden and low tunnels over individual plant rows. Using an
aquaponics system to raise fish and creating a mushroom garden will provide new and diverse
food sources. Continuing compost and bio-char production will ensure further soil enrichment
and boost plant production. Networking with other local community gardens through
organizations like Toledo Grows, MultiFaith Grows, and Maumee Valley growers will allow
TUC’s garden staff to share their expertise and coordinate valuable resource.

3. By making the community garden more productive and self-sufficient and increasing the after-
school program’s scope and reach, Mr. Ellis and Ms. Ways can guide The University Church’s
outreach efforts during this important stage of growth.